MC Recommendations

[Tom-Brown]

Hi Guy's,

My new plinth is nearly finished and I'll soon be ready to start playing with MC carts - So please any suggestions upto £700 (The price of a ortofon quintet black) which about my max. would consider second hand as well :)

Cheers
Graham

[hifi_dave]

The new Hana range is getting popular. A Shibata tipped MC is £447 and very good value it is.

[walpurgis]

The new Hana range is getting popular. A Shibata tipped MC is £447 and very good value it is.

What is the sound quality like with the high output models Dave? They might be an attractive option for those wishing to just retain an MM phono stage.

[Tom-Brown]

To be honest, I hadn't considered high output carts :) but open to suggestions :) :)

[topoxforddoc]

A lot depends on your arm and rest of your set up. Other options include a ZYX R50 Bloom, Ortofon SPU (maybe a NE, if you need standard 1/2 inch fitting) or an AT33PTG. All sound very different.

[Kember]

Consider the Yamamoto YC03S- it can be got from the European distributor for around 900 Euro. I can dig up details if you are interested.

Review here:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1009/yamamoto_yc03s.htm

I have had one for a couple of years and I think it is close to the Shilabe for a fraction of the cost but watch out - it is very low output so needs either Yamamoto SUTs or a decent phono stage (my Whest, for example, can cope).

[Tom-Brown]

Got two sme arms. An early 3009 unimproved and a nearly new M2-12R both with removable headshells

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

[walpurgis]

Got two smell arms. An early 3009 unimproved and a nearly new M2-12R both with removable headshells

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

I think your predictive text is playing games with you Graham. I'd read that again if I were you. :D

[struth]

Not sure the right version wont get you into trouble either...small arms are illegal lol

[petrat]

Consider the Yamamoto YC03S- it can be got from the European distributor for around 900 Euro. I can dig up details if you are interested.

Review here:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1009/yamamoto_yc03s.htm

I have had one for a couple of years and I think it is close to the Shilabe for a fraction of the cost but watch out - it is very low output so needs either Yamamoto SUTs or a decent phono stage (my Whest, for example, can cope).

Interesting, Peter! Who is the distributor?
How do you think it compares to your musicmaker III?

[IslandPink]

I'd have to highly recommend the Van den Hul modified Denon 103R , which I just had the chance to borrow from Lurcher (Nick) . Has all the tonal & dynamic strengths of the 103R with improved treble tone and detail. Unlike another rework I heard, it doesn't spoil the natural-sounding top end of the Denon.

[Clive197]

Hi Guy's,

My new plinth is nearly finished and I'll soon be ready to start playing with MC carts - So please any suggestions upto £700 (The price of a ortofon quintet black) which about my max. would consider second hand as well :)

Cheers
Graham

So why not go for the Ortofon Quintet Black which has a Shibata stylus (big fan of them) that you've already thought about. Otherwise have a word with HiFi Dave, his suggestion re the Hana seems interesting as it is also Shibata tipped and there has been some good press on them.

I think Dave sells (or used to) Ortofon, so he may have a good insight into both cartridges.

[hifi_dave]

What is the sound quality like with the high output models Dave? They might be an attractive option for those wishing to just retain an MM phono stage.

They are really good. I have sold a couple to Croft owners who didn't want to go to the expense of a step up x'mer.

The hanas have that elusive presence and spatial information which eludes many cartridges. I find they have more body and substance than the Ortofon Quintets for instance.